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08-09-2006, 08:14 AM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wirral
Posts: 293
| | | Walking Alone?
Yesterday my mum, sister and I were out walking our new pup for the first time. We went down loads of steps onto the beach (which was deserted) and after a while we noticed a quad-bike comming towards us.He stopped by the steps and since it looked as though we were blocking his way mum asked if he wanted to get past. All he did was shake his head and rev up his engine for a while. We all felt a bit threatened and walked up the stairs very quickly. I could've punched him because my mum has really bad arthritis and it exhausted her. Anyway we thought we'd got rid of him and sat on a bench but then we heard his motar close to again (after we heard him go up and down the streach of beach) and so we headed for the car. But as we did we noticed him searching the area. We wern't frightened for ourselves, but for our pup. You hear so much about kidnapping.
And this isn't a histerical female speaking btw!
Any way, what Im trying to say is that its made me aware how....dangerous it can be walking along a deserted streach of land alone.
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Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much:D |
08-09-2006, 08:31 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,455
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Report the incident to the police it may happen to others!
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08-09-2006, 08:34 AM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wirral
Posts: 293
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
I thought about that. But what do I say? He was acting suspiciously? He didn't actually try to do anything, the police WOULD think it was a group of highly strung women. Though it is worth trying isn't it.
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Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much:D |
08-09-2006, 08:36 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Posts: 1,644
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by ogwen Yesterday my mum, sister and I were out walking our new pup for the first time. We went down loads of steps onto the beach (which was deserted) and after a while we noticed a quad-bike comming towards us.He stopped by the steps and since it looked as though we were blocking his way mum asked if he wanted to get past. All he did was shake his head and rev up his engine for a while. We all felt a bit threatened and walked up the stairs very quickly. I could've punched him because my mum has really bad arthritis and it exhausted her. Anyway we thought we'd got rid of him and sat on a bench but then we heard his motar close to again (after we heard him go up and down the streach of beach) and so we headed for the car. But as we did we noticed him searching the area. We wern't frightened for ourselves, but for our pup. You hear so much about kidnapping.
And this isn't a histerical female speaking btw!
Any way, what Im trying to say is that its made me aware how....dangerous it can be walking along a deserted streach of land alone. |
I know what you mean! I go out regularly on my own, carrying a bag with probably nearly a thousand pounds worth of photographic gear, and I've seen a few 'suspicious' types about, and wondered "what if?" - nobody else about, etc etc .... I've heard of thieves targetting RSPB car parks, because they think there might be rich pickings in cars in the way of cameras and scopes etc .... sad world we live in that this sort of thought regularly goes through our minds? 
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Jez |
08-09-2006, 08:57 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,389
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
ogwen, I think it's a good idea to report it to the police - not via 999 but to the local police station. One report might be regarded as silly, but if similar incidents get reported the police ought to take notice. You may not be the first.
henrya
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08-09-2006, 09:00 AM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,455
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Ogwen,why should you have your day spoiled by there could be a more sinister reason behind the harassment.
Henrya I love the signatureLOL
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08-09-2006, 09:59 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,389
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
nightshade - new signature introduced in response to your spellchecker thread!
henrya
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08-09-2006, 10:54 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 4,699
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by jezlee I know what you mean! I go out regularly on my own, carrying a bag with probably nearly a thousand pounds worth of photographic gear, and I've seen a few 'suspicious' types about, and wondered "what if?" - nobody else about, etc etc .... I've heard of thieves targetting RSPB car parks, because they think there might be rich pickings in cars in the way of cameras and scopes etc .... sad world we live in that this sort of thought regularly goes through our minds? |
yes I'd specifically recommend NOT looking for nightjars by yourself at night - particularly if you are anywhere near any local beauty spot.......  |
08-09-2006, 11:05 AM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Angus
Posts: 224
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Undoubtedly report it. The police are very interested in this sort of thing at the moment it is a high profile issue. Include the colour of the quad, crash helmet, jacket if you can. People like that are often not too bright and have a tendanacy to hang about in a restricted area annoying people Exactly that sort of behavior from a usualy very small number of numpties spoils things for all site users incuding more responsable quad drivers who have reported similar incidents. |
08-09-2006, 01:50 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Deepest Dorset
Posts: 709
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
what actually has he done wrong? |
08-09-2006, 01:58 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,389
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote
what actually has he done wrong?
Endquote
If you read the first post you'll see he made three women feel threatened. If that's not wrong, what is it?
henrya
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08-09-2006, 01:59 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Angus
Posts: 224
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Point taken probably no point in the police thing.
I supposed I have become used to the fact that all the reasonable quad/motocross users around here go out of their way to be polite because bad publicity in the past has lead to the possibilty of access issues.
If there is a local quad group that use the site and are involved in any rules, code of conduct it still might be worth pointing it out to them. |
08-09-2006, 03:52 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 253
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
I am a teacher married to a non-teacher, so I have just finished the first week back after the summer break. Of course, the weather for the past week has been glorious, but, on the odd good day while I was off, I considered going to a few local places, but was put off by the fact that I would be going alone. I am not easily intimidated (you can't be after teaching 11-16 year olds for 28 years), but just felt that it would be foolish to put myself at risk.  |
08-09-2006, 04:03 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,455
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Pity the poor bat workers out from dusk till dawn looking for roosts
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08-09-2006, 04:06 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 4,983
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
I think Henry has a point - just because we don't like the look of someone is no reason to assume that they are 'evil' - I would have been put away many years ago .... and people do sometimes feel threatened by appearances - thus the fairly recent persecution of 'hoodies'.
However, there's no harm in mentioning this to the police or, perhaps better, the authority responsible for the beach. Many local authorities now have people trying to deal with this sort of thing in a quiet rather than legalistic way.
Also, the LA or land-owner would be the organisation to take action against people mis-using the area.
For what it's worth, I think that quad bikes and, indeed, all motor vehicles (other than essential, access ones) should be banned from public places. Quote: |
Originally Posted by henrya Quote what actually has he done wrong?
Endquote
If you read the first post you'll see he made three women feel threatened. If that's not wrong, what is it?
henrya | |
08-09-2006, 04:08 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Milton, Hampshire
Posts: 3,034
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
In the summer I often go for walks when its getting on for dusk & get back to the car well after dark but I tend to worry about whether my car is still going to be where I left it! |
08-09-2006, 04:14 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,455
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Just a thought there should be no vehicles on a public beach anyway without a licence
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08-09-2006, 04:24 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 4,983
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Paul mabbott For what it's worth, I think that quad bikes and, indeed, all motor vehicles (other than essential, access ones) should be banned from public places. | That sounds a bit silly, I meant public *open* spaces. What would our streets be like without cars? On second thoughts ..... |
08-09-2006, 05:21 PM
|  | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,164
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by bendog I am a teacher married to a non-teacher, so I have just finished the first week back after the summer break. Of course, the weather for the past week has been glorious, but, on the odd good day while I was off, I considered going to a few local places, but was put off by the fact that I would be going alone. I am not easily intimidated (you can't be after teaching 11-16 year olds for 28 years), but just felt that it would be foolish to put myself at risk. | I know exactly how you felt Bendog. On the occasions that I did 'go it alone' without my husband, there were times that I felt uncomfortable. I'm tall at just under 5'10' for a woman, and like you don't scare too easily but there was one time whilst walking through a chalk hill woodlands fairly near my home when I was aware of a man, (probably in all innocence watching me photograph insects) nearby on more than one instance that made me feel nervous.
I only use our Canon350 when I'm with Chris( hubby), as I feel a bit vulnerable alone with it. The FZ fits neatly in a little holder, then my backpack.
Times like that I wish I had a scary looking dog that was actually a big softy,just to be a deterant.
Don't know what the answer is but it's a sad reflection of our society if you feel unsafe on a country walk. Julie
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08-09-2006, 05:25 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Deepest Dorset
Posts: 709
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
do you know that it was his intention to make you feel threatened, or did your imagination threaten you. Honestly what was he going to do, run 3 women down? he acknowledged your question with a shake of his head, most people dont even acknowledge one another these days. I am just failing to see what he did to you personally or any of your party that threatened you.
i am not trying to be argumentative, he didnt ride near you, he stopped, spin doughnuts around, throw abuse at you. so someone riding a quad is now threatening. I ride a mountain bike in the countryside and i acknowledge people, i ride where other people are and i ride around looking for tracks bridleways etc.
I am sorry you felt threatened and had to leave what you were doing and force your mother up the steps, but i truly feel you should have carried on.
*tin hat out* |
08-09-2006, 05:47 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 253
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Wild-Woman Times like that I wish I had a scary looking dog that was actually a big softy,just to be a deterant. | Here is my big, softy deterrant! 
Unfortunately, he cries like a big baby if he is not with his little friend, Sam and taking both of them would be way too much. Sam wants to play all the time and Jasper wants to chase him while he plays. This would defeat the object of the walk!  |
08-09-2006, 06:35 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wirral
Posts: 293
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Mr Mag00 do you know that it was his intention to make you feel threatened, or did your imagination threaten you. Honestly what was he going to do, run 3 women down? he acknowledged your question with a shake of his head, most people dont even acknowledge one another these days. I am just failing to see what he did to you personally or any of your party that threatened you.
i am not trying to be argumentative, he didnt ride near you, he stopped, spin doughnuts around, throw abuse at you. so someone riding a quad is now threatening. I ride a mountain bike in the countryside and i acknowledge people, i ride where other people are and i ride around looking for tracks bridleways etc.
I am sorry you felt threatened and had to leave what you were doing and force your mother up the steps, but i truly feel you should have carried on.
*tin hat out* | I didn't feel teribly threatened. It was my mum who did, and it was her who ran up the stairs ahead of us! He could have carried on up the beach instead of turning towards us and he didn't seem teribly friendly. I'm used to walking out alone and having people pass me on the pavement on their mini motors and not feel intimidated at all. All I can say is, U weren't there! When we'd got to the top of the cliffs I could hear him move backwards and forwards looking for a way to get up! When he did he was looking about. It was only the fact that two men turned up that he stopped!
It was not our imagination.
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08-09-2006, 08:07 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lincolnshire/Cambs/Norfolk border right on The Wash
Posts: 2,177
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
Sorry to hear this, the others are right... go to the police... if not for your own sake then for the possibility that this might have been worse.. and it might not be possible for the next person to get away from him.. Mr Mgoo does the right thing in being polite.. and it costs nothing. The police would rather be called and have a chance to do something about it than be called to a more serious incident because people 'didnt want to make trouble'. It is only a waste of police time if you make the call maliciously.
Jaki |
09-09-2006, 09:08 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hampshire, England
Posts: 517
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
I'm sorry this happened Ogwen but as has been said before, report it.
I get nervous walking around here alone as it's so rural, especially when I'm walking along a deserted lane with no houses in sight and a car slows as they pass me. I've had this happen many times .. a male driver peers at me very intensely as they go by. No friendly nod as they pass, just a very intense, no smiling face peering out as they drive very slowly past me. I've been in this situation many times and I'm desperately trying to recall the number plate .. just in cae. I shouldn't have to do this. It's either that or speeding "Ra Ra Ra!" types in their four by fours, chatting on their phones as they speed by.
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09-09-2006, 09:23 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Leigh, Lancashire
Posts: 1,530
| | | Re: Walking Alone?
I would say go with your gut feeling and if you think someone is acting suspicious, taking too great an interest, following you etc then get yourself away without looking panicky. I feel I get around a lot of this kind of thing (tho I have suffered from it and been very frightened on a couple of occasions) but in the main the way I look these days, overweight, dressed like a fella and with short hair cut very manly, and a very unflattering green baseball cap, means I get overlooked quite a lot! I know it works cos when I'm at work and get asked for help, directions etc I nearly always get called 'pal or mate'! When I speak the questioner usually gets embarrassed and says 'I'm sorry love I didn;t realise' (the answer to that is - you weren't meant to realise!)
Since the good old days when I rode a motorcycle and had a helmet to 'hide' in its been useful to be mistaken for male! I know it won't stop someone from attacking me and taking my camera bag but there is no way that I am prepared to stay indoors while the lunatics roam free in the fresh air. If I can't go out and about when I want to then I simply don't think life is worth living. So I accept the risks, minimise them as best I can and get on with the one thing that is important to me - being out and about with a camera and binocs.
Pauline  | | |
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